Album News Hits Insider, ET

News of Clay's new album, "On My Way Here", has hit The Insider and Entertainment Tonight's respective websites. The two sister infotainment shows are running identical articles on their websites about the new disc, due out in May:

Let the countdown begin! In less than two months -- May 6 to be exact -- CLAY AIKEN will release his new album, reports Billboard.

The disc, titled On My Way Here, will mark Clay's first album of entirely new material since 2003's No.1 smash Measure of a Man. While details are limited, it will likely include the title track and a tune called "Ashes."

What's more, Clay is getting ready to hit the road in July for a U.S. tour.

Meanwhile, he is currently entertaining audiences in the Broadway hit Spamalot.

The album is also being featured on Pause & Play, a well-known music industry website listing upcoming CD releases:

OK! Magazine: "Ashes" to be Lead Single

OK! Magazine is reporting "Ashes", an up-tempo song, will be the lead single for Clay's new album "On My Way Here". This is unofficial, and has not been confirmed by RCA.

The album titled On My Way Here will see the light of day on May 6 (19 Recordings/RCA) with a tentative lead single called "Ashes." A tour should follow this summer in July.

AOL Webisode Promotes New Album

AOL has put out a 1 minute, 23 seconds "webisode" promoting Clay's new album, "On My Way Here", hitting stores on May 6. You can check out the video at AOL Music, or play it in the media player below. The clip is an interview and in-studio tour with Clay, focusing largely on his Grammy award winning producer, Kipper.

Tidbits 3/26

• The Celebrity Cafe - Clay to release new album in the fall -

  “American Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken, to release his second original studio album, “On My Way Here.”
  
  Reuters reports that after starring in Broadway hit Spamalot, American Idol runner-up, Clay Aiken, will return with his first original studio album since his 2003 debut, Measure of a Man.
  
  Aiken’s album -- featuring all new material -- is scheduled for release on May 6 via 19 Recordings/RCA. According to reports, On My Way Here will be produced by Kipper, a U.K. producer best known for his work on Sting's Brand New Day album.
  
  Aiken stated: On My Way Here will include "stuff that I'd imagine 90 percent of people have not heard."
  

• DigTriad.com - big names visit Greensboro Coliseum over the years - "The coliseum's hosted big names from Elvis Presley to Clay Aiken over the years."
• Daniel Island News - Quiana Parler article -

  On Friday, April 4th Quiana Parler and Friends featuring Dudley Birch will kick off the series at Children’s Park along the Wando River. This fantastic nine-piece band features male and female vocals with a three-piece horn section. A previous contestant on American Idol, Quiana has toured with Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken, and has opened for a variety of well-known jazz and R&B artists.

• Blogcritics - American Idol commentary - "Fantasia and Clay Aiken had to go to Broadway to keep their careers afloat. Even Kelly Clarkson is giving every indication that her career may have already peaked (take note, Carrie Underwood)."
• Suburbarazzi - Kimberley Locke talks about Clay in interview ahead of AI appearance tonight -

  Why would a celebrity choose North Salem as a place to live and open a restaurant? What’s a downside to living with Clay Aiken? And what does it feel like to know you’ll be singing your new song on the “American Idol” stage during this week’s results show?

• Clay blogosphere is abuzz with excitement over the new CD:
• Anew and Afresh -

  It's hard to believe I'll have Clay Aiken's new CD, On My Way Here, in my hot little hands in only forty-one days. THIS is the album I've been waiting for, I think... original material, produced by a Grammy award winner (Kipper), and something that Clay himself seemingly had more control over, rather than music mandated by the record label, a leftover consequence of being on American Idol.

• Carolina On My Mind -

  The escalation of new video, photo, and media promotions for Clay Aiken's upcoming CD, On My Way Here, turned a normal spring day into Christmas morning on many fan message boards Tuesday, March 25.
  
  "On My Way Here" is definitely on its way!
  

Your YouTube BAF Video Could Raise Funds For The Bubel Aiken Foundation

Some of you have spent hours and hours fine-tuning your skills at making wonderful Clay Aiken videos. You have it down to a fine art. Well, now you can use those skills to create a video of The Bubel Aiken Foundation and in so doing win $100 for them.

Aron Hall has asked us to spread the word about this Goodsearch fundraising opportunity. At YouTube's website, you are asked: "WHO DO YOU GOODSEARCH FOR? Join our contest to win a chance to have your video highlighting your favorite nonprofit seen by millions of people (and a $100 donation to that cause)". All you have to do is create a video that answers this question and shows all the reasons why you care about your charity.

So all you montage makers out there. Get your creative thinking caps on and put together your very best work. Then upload it to YouTube. Rules to the contest are below, as well as at YouTube's site.

Join our contest to win a chance to have your video highlighting your favorite nonprofit seen by millions of people (and a $100 donation to that cause)
Join our contest to win a chance to have your video highlighting your favorite nonprofit seen by millions of people (and a $100 donation to that cause)

We're on a mission to have thousands of videos created to raise awareness and support for all of the nonprofits working to make this world a better place!

Create a video that answers the question "Who do you GoodSearch for?" and highlights the cause you care about most.

Each week a winning video will be chosen and the organization featured in the video will receive a $100 donation. The winning video will also be featured on the GoodSearch homepage, exposing it to thousands of people who care about doing good!

Video Guidelines...

1. Video should highlight a specific non-profit organization or school.
2. Videos must be titled "I GoodSearch for (insert the name of your chosen charity)"
3. Videos must end with you saying or displaying "I GoodSearch for (insert the name of your chosen charity)"

How to submit a video

1. Create your video and upload it on YouTube.
2. Join the GoodSearch contest group and submit your video to the group.

Video Prizes

1. Each week the top video will be featured in on the GoodSearch homepage.
2. GoodSearch will donate $100 to the organization featured in the winning video.

For more official contest rules, please click on the following link.
http://www.goodsearch.com/YouTubeContest.aspx

RCA's Great Clay Biography Talks of "On My Way Here"

RCA/19 Entertainment has put out a fantastic article/biography about Clay and his upcoming CD, On My Way Here.

The album, which takes its title from the song "On My Way Here" written by Ryan "Alias" Tedder, was a favorite of both Clay and his executive producer, Jaymes Foster. The song talks of "the lessons we learn while growing up" and "struck such a deep chord with Aiken that it wound up inspiring the theme (and title) of his new collection", says the article.

The article goes on to tell of the many achievements Clay has had over the last five years both in the music industry and through his many charitable endeavors.

It is especially touching to hear what Clay has to say about a ballad he will sing on the CD called "The Real Me", written by Natalie Grant. According to Clay, it is "a poignant story about the experience of being in the public eye. 'The song really spoke to me about the necessity of having someone in your life who knows you and doesn’t really care about the fact that you’re a celebrity,'."

You can find the album on RCA's website, along with an amazing high-resolution picture of the photo on the CD cover.

The CD will be released on Tuesday, May 6. Clay's Daily Double is counting down the seconds until May 6 on our home page.

Give the article a hit at RCA's website and check it out there. However, we are printing out the article below as well. Its definitely a must read! (Pictures added in the article by CDD)

CLAY AIKEN

On My Way Here

When Clay Aiken and his executive producer Jaymes Foster began the search for songs to record for Aiken’s first album of original material since his 2003 chart-topping debut Measure of A Man, they both fell in love with a song written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan “Alias” Tedder called “On My Way Here.” The message of the lyrics — how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as adults — struck such a deep chord with Aiken that it wound up inspiring the theme (and title) of his new collection.

“I thought if we could find songs along those lines, that deal with my life over the past five years and what I’ve learned from my experiences, it would be a great concept for an album,” Aiken says. “Since I got into this business, I’ve learned so much about myself and about life and the world. I’m nowhere near an expert, but this album has taken on the form of addressing how far I’ve come in those five years and how I feel like I’ve found myself.”

As Aiken’s millions of devoted fans around the world already know, it’s been a whirlwind journey. Since shooting to stardom on the second season of American Idol, the 29-year-old Raleigh, NC native with the powerhouse voice has become an international pop phenomenon who has sold six million copies of his three best-selling albums: the double-platinum Measure of A Man, 2004’s holiday CD Merry Christmas With Love (which went platinum within six weeks of its release), and the gold-certified A Thousand Different Ways — a 2006 collection of 10 covers and four originals that earned Aiken the distinction of being the fourth artist ever to have his first three albums debut in the Top 5 on the Billboard chart. In addition, Aiken has launched eight live tours, made the New York Times best-seller list by co-authoring the inspirational memoir Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music In Your Life, executive produced and starred in his first TV special, A Clay Aiken Christmas, and won several American Music and Billboard Music Awards. In January 2008, Aiken made his Broadway debut in the role of Sir Robin in the Tony Award-winning musical Monty Python’s Spamalot.

If that weren’t enough, Aiken also donated much of his time to charity, performing at dozens of concert benefits for causes he cares about. The creator of the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, which promotes and funds educational and recreational programs for children with special needs, the singer has traveled the world as a National Ambassador for UNICEF. On its behalf, Aiken has visited tsunami victims in Indonesia, villages in Uganda, classrooms and health centers in Afghanistan, and spent this past Christmas in Mexico with children affected by recent floods.

That’s a lot of life experience to cover in one album. “It is,” Aiken admits, “that’s why the lyrics really had to matter this time around. It’s the first time I’m singing about things that mean something to me.” Which is not to say that every song is about something that actually happened to the star. “What’s powerful about a lot of the new songs is that they can mean different things to different people,” he says. “It was really important to me that they be interpretable in all kinds of ways, so as not to cloud someone’s ability to find their own meaning in them.” One example of this is the evocative ballad “The Real Me,” written by singer/songwriter Natalie Grant, which is a poignant story about the experience of being in the public eye. “The song really spoke to me about the necessity of having someone in your life who knows you and doesn’t really care about the fact that you’re a celebrity,” Aiken says.

Another track that means a lot to Aiken is “As Long as We’re Here,” a moving ballad that Aiken chose from a selection of demos he had brought with him to listen to on the plane during a UNICEF visit to Indonesia. “Maybe it had to do with the fact that I was flying over a tsunami-stricken country, but the lyrics struck me as very uplifting,” he says. “They’re about not waiting until it’s too late to tell the people you love that you care about them.” Turns out the song had also resonated with Jaymes Foster, who brought it to Aiken not knowing that he had already fallen in love with it. “Out of literally tens of thousands of demos we were sent, she had chosen the same one that I had so strongly identified with, so the song is a great connector between Jaymes and me. We’ve become really great friends, and it’s important that it’s part of the album.”

Though he’s known for his signature ballads, Aiken chose to open On My Way Here with an up-tempo, pop-rock tune, “Ashes,” which begins with the following lyric: “Someone told me what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger / Sets you free from all that held you down.” “That’s a great opening line for an album,” Aiken says. “My mom used to say that if things come easy they’re not worth having; that there can’t be a sunrise with a night. So, to me, that song is about how the most important lessons I’ve learned in my life have come out of less-than-rosy experiences, and that I’m stronger because of them.”

To musically represent the album’s lyrical theme, Aiken and Foster enlisted Grammy-Award winning British songwriter and producer Kipper, who has worked with Sting, Chris Botti, and Julia Fordham, marking the first time Aiken has recorded an entire album with one producer. “It’s made for a very collaborative environment in the studio,” Aiken says. “Every song has been scrutinized by Jaymes, Kipper, and me to make sure it’s exactly what we wanted it to be.”

It’s that commitment that drives everything Aiken does, even if it means recording an album by day and starring in a Broadway show by night. “I guess I’m a glutton for punishment,” he says with a laugh. “It’s a lot of work, but I’ve had a great time. Doing both the album and Spamalot at once has kind of been like having two families. I have a family at the theater and we are a family group working on the album in the studio. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

Tidbits 3/25

• Reality TV World - Clay releasing new album in May -

  The American Idol second-season runner-up's fourth album -- "On My Way Here" -- is scheduled to drop May 6 via 19 Recordings/RCA, Billboard confirmed Friday.
  
  With his role of Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot at the Shubert Theatre scheduled to conclude May 4, Aiken had previously stated he was "hoping" the album would be out May 6.
  
  "On My Way Here" is being produced by Kipper, a U.K.-based producer best known for working on Sting's Grammy-award winning "Brand New Day" album.
  

• OK! Magazine - new album from Clay -

  Now that Clay Aiken will be wrapping up his run on Broadway in Spamalot, the American Idol runner up will release his first album of original material since 2003.
  
  The album titled On My Way Here will see the light of day on May 6 (19 Recordings/RCA) with a tentative lead single called "Ashes." A tour should follow this summer in July.
  
  His debut album Measure of a Man deubted at number 1 in 2003. He has also released a holiday album Merry Christmas with Love and a covers album A Thousand Different Ways.
  

• Reuters via Billboard - Clay heads "here" on new album -

  NEW YORK (Billboard) - Just as his stint starring in the Broadway hit "Spamalot" concludes, "American Idol" veteran Clay Aiken will return with his first album of entirely new material since 2003's "Measure of a Man."
  
  "On My Way Here," due May 6 via 19 Recordings/RCA, will likely include the title track and a song called "Ashes," but no other details about the project have yet been made available.

• Chexxxy's Pearls has two posts on Clay's "transformation":
• "Clay Aiken: Was Always Hot!"
• "Clay's journey from Geek to Chic"
• Anew & Afresh - new Clay Aiken CD cover art -

  I love his look here -- the hair, the clothes. I'm glad to see what's likely the New York skyline in the background. Clay fits in NYC very well. Somehow NYC seems more accepting of truly talented people who might not fit the cookie cutter mold.
  
  Here's hoping the great cover is indicative of the music inside. As it seems Clay has had a great deal more creative control over this album, I think it will be.
  

We're Back On Top: "On My Way Here" Music Bestseller at Amazon.com

A job well done, Claymates! Clay's new CD, "On My Way Here", is back at #1 on Amazon.com's music bestsellers list. Definitely that gorgeous cover that sent sales skyrocketing, if you ask me.

Pre-order at Amazon.com today!

What's Hot From Spamalot

Today is "Monday Off" for the Spamalot cast, but somehow we here at Clay's Daily Double manage to still find plenty of hot stuff to report about. Amazing, isn't it!!

I have a report from DianaGreenEyes at The Clayboard, as well as some really great pictures she took at the Stage Door.

From DianaGreen Eyes:

It seemed Clay came out (from the stage door) a little later than normal, still looking absolutely gorgeous (I'm always amazed at how really big he is ... sigh), but a tad subdued ... I do believe he was hurting and limping a bit. The only time he really got animated was when he talked to the little girl next to me ... calling her darlin' ... and then later when he was several people over the little girl was calling him to come back and he heard her and said something like "what ya need darlin'" .. and then he came back over to her and signed another Playbil for her.I said something to Clay too, and I did get a grin of acknowledgment, but no comment. At one point ... the crowd starting pushing on the barriers and Clay stepped back and made them stop (Brave Brave Sir Clay)

The evening show was great and no one could really tell that Clay was hurting unless you knew it already. I was on the left up close ... which is not the best place to be, except when Clay comes over to that side and then ... W..W. I was able to notice a couple things from that side I normally miss too .. Like guard 2 really cracking up at Clay's guard 1 ... and Clay yelling in a high pitched voice "wait for me wait for me" ... as he ran off stage in the runaway scene. The bottle dance seems to be getting better and better ... love the stomp and shimmy ... very different from when I saw the show opening night.

Check out Diana's first two pictures below and you can see Clay's reaction to the pushing by people behind the barricade. Thankfully he stayed to sign more autographs, but of course, there's never a guarantee of that when the crowd begins to push. As the crowds get larger, everyone needs to remain calmer so it doesn't get out of hand.

Tidbits 3/24

• Orlando Sentinel reviews Spamalot -

  The show became known as the nucleus of all things Python -- the annoying French people, the killer rabbits, the Knights Who Say Ni!
  
  On Broadway, it has also become a hotbed of creative casting. As King Arthur, actor Tim Curry was succeeded by, among various Broadway notables, Simon Russell Beale, the reigning king of high-toned British theater. (People said he was a riot.) And David Hyde Pierce, who played Sir Robin, handed down his mantle to Clay Aiken.
  

• AZCentral.com - Clay Aiken ready to launch new album -

  Clay Aiken new CD arrives in May
  Billboard.com
  Mar. 24, 2008 03:20 PM
  NEW YORK - Just as his stint starring in the Broadway hit "Spamalot" concludes, Clay Aiken will return with his first album of entirely new material since 2003's "Measure of a Man."
  
  Due May 6, Aiken's "On My Way Here" was produced by Kipper, best known for his work with Sting and Chris Botti. The album will likely include the title track and a song called "Ashes," but no other details about the project have yet been made available.

• Access Atlanta - Claymates, rejoyce! New album from Clay dropping in May -

  * And yes, here’s the new Clay Aiken cover. His album “On My Way Here” is out May 6. Here’s modest info from Billboard.com, Claymates!:
  
  Aiken’s “On My Way Here” was produced by Kipper, best known for his work with Sting and Chris Botti. The album will likely include the title track and a song called “Ashes,” but no other details about the project have yet been made available.
  
  Let’s just hope he doesn’t rely too much on covers and focuses on some original stuff to build his own portfolio.
  

• AntiMusic - Clay to release new album in May -

  American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken will soon be able to judge the measure of his fans devotion when he releases his first album consisting of all new material in five years. Who are we kidding? If we know anything about Aiken's rabid fans, then we know that the five year wait has probably only made them more hungry for new material from the pop star.
  
  Very few details about the effort are known, but according to reports, the new album titled, "On My Way Here," is set to hit stores on May 6th and is being produced by Kipper (Sting and Chris Botti). The CD will also reportedly include the title track and a song called "Ashes".
  

• Broadway.com - Bradley Dean ready to join Spamalot -

  Dean joins a cast that includes Jonathan Hadary, Hannah Waddingham, Clay Aiken, Tom Deckman, Rick Holmes, David Hibbard and Brad Oscar.

• Manchester Evening News - Kelly Clarkson ready to make fourth album, as Clay readies fourth album for May release -

  She is, in fact, the first Idol contestant to make it this far (season two runner-up, Clay Aiken's `fourth' was in fact a four-track EP of Christmas songs) and is over two million sales clear of her nearest Idol rival, season four winner Carrie Underwood.
  

• Calgary Sun - stars flock to TV sitcoms -

  Paris Hilton (pre-incarceration) marked time on Veronica Mars, The O.C. and George Lopez; American Idol runnerup Clay Aiken appeared on Scrubs, and late last summer Britney's ex, Kevin Federline, made some chat room waves of his own after it was announced he landed a recurring role on One Tree Hill.
  

• American Idol commentary mentions Clay:
• Yahoo! Music - American Idol looking to re-instate the "wildcard"? Well, kinda-

  Yes, the last-gasp policy that once rescued Clay Aiken from premature obscurity may now save another gone-too-soon singer. See, according to rampant messageboard postings across this great Interweb of ours, five semi-finalists who failed to make the top 10 will return to the American Idol stage for the April 9th Idol Gives Back charity special....on which they will battle for a wild-card slot on this summer's American Idol concert tour!
  

• Chicago Tribune - David Archuleta a favorite to win AI-

  David Archuleta
  
  This baby-faced, 17-year-old singer is cuter than a basket of puppies — puppies made of rainbows! Whether or not he wins, he could be the next Clay Aiken — a talented belter with a rabid fan base. But as the judges have said, he needs to take a few risks and venture outside his sweet-and-safe comfort zone. How about trying something just a little more rock ’n’ roll?

• TV Envy -

  American Idol (FOX, 9pm): ”Kimberley Locke performs ‘Fall’ and one of the 10 is sent home.” I just recently saw Locke diss Clay Aiken on Perez Hilton’s show. I’m liking her more and more every day.

• The New York Observer - Kimberley Locke on American Idol this Wednesday-

  Kimberley Locke’s on Idol (Fox, 9 p.m.). Who’s Kimberley Locke? She’s the one who came in third place behind Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard in the 2003 incarnation of the show. Oh, right … Nope, still nothing.
  

• Nothing here today
  

"On My Way Here" Produces Beautifiul Fan Blends

When the cover to Clay's CD, "On My Way Here", was first put online, there was a huge collective gasp and sigh from Clay fans around the world! I think most of us still can hardly take our eyes off of it and have it as our computer background.

But in addition to this beautiful cover, creative fans have produced a multitude of artistic blends using the cover as their base. And what better subject to work with to create some of the most beautiful works of art I've seen.

Here are some of those OMWH blends that can be found at The Clayboard for your enjoyment:

From bamaclayfan




From Jesben




From martigyrl




From sexycaliprincess



Beautiful work by all our fans!!

What's Hot From Spamalot 3/23

So what's been hot over in the great city of New York this Easter weekend? Well, we've got some great fan reviews, stage door pictures, and reports about Clay performing with a hurt hip, and doing a fantastic job! So get your fans out and get ready for some hot news from Spamalot!!

• First, as many of you know, Clay apparently hurt his hip around Friday of this past week. It was thought at first that he would not be doing the Saturday matinee show, but being the trooper that Clay is, he did perform in the matinee after all. Hannah, however, was out as Lady of The Lake. Here are a couple of reports about this. As always, all of our reports come from fans at The Clayboard. From lsdollylovesclay:

  Matinee report just called in...Lots of fans up front...Clay appears to be fine.....he didn't seem to crouch down as much as usual during the slow motion scene...but caller wasn't sure if it was just their imagination. No one would ever know anything was wrong....everyone is having fun and I hope to get another call after the performance to talk about how his big number went. Hanna is missed!

• From bashfulnana:

  Crom the CV: Clay did fine today. He did well in the bottle dance, he did the stage door -- signed quick and went back in. Someone said they thought he was limping outside, but she didn't see it. She did notice that during the slo-mo bit he didn't do the deep knee bends very deep.

  Sunday night, March 23, is Chris Sieber's last night in Broadway's Spamalot. He has been exceptional as Sir Galahad, The Black Knight, and Prince Herbert's father. We wish him the best of luck as he moves on to perform in Shrek. Lilred sums it up very nicely for us:

  Chris is going into another play, Shrek. He'll be playing Lord Farquaad. He came back from England with Hannah Waddingham and Spamalot knew he would only be returning to his original role of Galahad for a couple of months. I know we'll miss Chris - he and Clay had great interaction in this play...

  
  
• Here is a stage door video from Saturday afternoon, March 22, taken by Aikenfan71 that is up at YouTube. If you look when he first comes out the door, you can see that he is limping just a bit:
  
  
  
  
• Also, here are some great closeup pictures of Clay taken by tsunamimommy:
  
  
  
  
• Here's a couple of great pictures taken by OKCClayFan of Clay signing her friend's laptop. What a great idea!
  
  
  
  
• Here's a great first-time recap from justclay12:

  this is my first chance to actually post since i got back from ny and i really wish i had tiggy's gift for recaps, however i don't so i'll just add some bits of info that i picked up. i took my 21 year old daughter with me, who is one of those normal fans that don't get all excited over anything clay, and she loved it. we actually got to see it 3 times, and the only reason we didn't see it 4 is because it was sold out on tuesday. and for anyone who has limited funds, i really recommend sro because of the 3 places that we saw the show from, i think i enjoyed those the most. not much on balcony because i felt too removed from the stage, and even though we had 4th row on the left for one show, which was great for the tushy shot, but we missed a lot of clay's expressions and i think we both got a crick in our necks because it was on the far left. for sro, we still felt really close to the stage, and we could see all of it.
  
  my daughter loved the show, and i haven't seen her laugh so much since she got to the age where it was no longer cool to laugh. and what's even better, she would actually like to go see it again. she loved how silly clay was but she also enjoyed all the other performers. i was so glad that i actually got tom deckman's signature one of the nights because i really got a kick out of him and the faces he makes. i actually got most of the leads signatures during my time there, and i was able to congratulate and thank everyone who signed, except for clay because with him, i lose all ability to speak and can just stare. when he's that close, i don't think i even get that goofy grin i usually get when i see him because i just go into some kind of trance or something. thank god he doesn't look up when he's signing to see that blank look on my face. i did get his autograph though, once on my playbill and once on my spamalot t-shirt, so now i not only have the autograph, but he actually touched my t-shirt. i was so excited, at least on the inside, outside i was still the zombie.
  
  some random bits of info that i got: the actor who plays patsy was out because he actually teaches at nyu so he was on spring break also and had gone to ohio. when hannah came out, she posed for pictures with some of the people who waited and she was very nice, as were all of them, but when she got to me, i was able to speak at that point, since clay was safely back inside, and i told her how great she was, and how lucky since she got to pinch clay's butt. she said she tries to rub all over him on stage because he is so serious when he's performing. so i think that even though he looks like he is silliness itself when he is on stage, he really takes his performance seriously, and he wants to give 1000% while he is on that stage. which is even more obvious when we see him getting on that stage to perform when he's sick, or when his hip is hurt, as it appears now. i did see that stagedoor video, and he does look like he was limping. he is such a trouper and i admire him so much.
  
  as for the video, does anyone who was there know what was happening at the barricade that made clay back away at one point, and the security guard say something to the people in the crowd? i'd never seen that happen before in any of the stage door videos so didn't know if someone was getting a little grabby or something.
  
  and on a final note, unless i can think of anything else later, i really hate the public transportation in nyc and nj. my least stress filled day was when we decided to just walk around. not only do you need maps for the subways, etc, they also need to come with a set of instructions. very frustrating. but we did enjoy our stay, other than that, so now i have to save money for more trips to spamalot before clay leaves. who needs food and i've been wanting to lose weight anyway.

• A Sunday Matinee recap from Clayniac24:

  The matinee performance was SPECTACULAR! It was a full house, including SRO. And the audience was wild with laughter and excitement. Clay was super! Just absolutely adorable, hilarious, and danced up a storm. But two of the cast members helped him down from the piano, so his hip is not totally recovered yet. He got a loud standing ovation when he came out for his curtain call. He was smiling and happy. However, he didn't come out to the stage door. Jerome came out and said that Clay wasn't feeling well and wasn't coming out. Disappointment reigned, but everyone understood.

• From Clayscience:

  My recap of the Saturday, March 22 matinee:
  
  My oldest daughter and I got up very early yesterday and took the bus from Massachusetts to NYC. It was very convenient as the Port Authority station was just 3 blocks from the Shubert Theatre, an easy 10 minute walk. We got in around 10:45 AM. I took a cell pic of my daughter in front of the Clay poster; we sent it as a pix message to my younger daughter who was at her HS musical practice at home. After wandering and exploring the area a bit, we went to Juniors for lunch. The service was great and the portions were large. (I did not like the onion rings though - 95% batter, 5% onion). Juniors was participating in the Tap Project for Unicef, so we were able to donate as part of our bill. The location next to the theatre was great too. Then we did some exploring and a little bit of shopping in the various Broadway shops in the area (in an attempt to stay warm since it was fairly cold out). And we bought touristy things for the family members who were at home -I Love NYC pajama bottoms for my younger daughter, and "I fart in your general direction" pin for my husband.
  
  We were aware when we left on the bus trip of the possibility of an understudy and had already made the decision to attend the show regardless (otherwise, a waste of a day). I was thrilled that he did go ahead and perform. But we didn't learn till we returned home last night about the confusion of whether he would perform.
  
  It was the first show for both of us. The show was hysterically funny. I was worried whether my daughter would like the show, but she found it very entertaining and funny. She especially liked Chris Siebert's political commentary scene (so I'm glad we were able to see the show before his last performance today). She looooooved the coconut scene too and really enjoyed Clay's big number. The understudy Jenny Hill did a great job filling in for Hannah. The Diva's lament song was just fantastic. I adored all of Clay's scenes. His accent, facial expressions, and timing were just awesome. I laughed so hard during the castle guard scene with Herbert's father. I can't believe he was able to do the bottle dance so well, given his injury. It was obvious that dance got a great reaction from the people near us in the theatre. I do think Clay slightly favored one leg during the show but my daughter said she didn't notice anything wrong. Needless to say, I loved the show too and will be counting the minutes until I see it again in May. When I come in May, my husband and other daughter will be with me.
  
  Today, we downloaded the original cast soundtrack from itunes. The music is quite infectious.
  
  We stayed for the stage door (about 4 back in the crowd, so no real chance of an autograph). Then we made the decision to try for the 5 pm bus to Massachusetts instead of waiting for the 7 pm bus. Since Clay was a bit late getting out to the barricades, it was cutting it close but somehow we managed to make it just as the bus was boarding. So we were home 2 hours earlier than expected. All in all, it was a great mother-daughter day. We're a bit tired now though.

• Lilred gives us this report from njrp4clay who talked with Jerome about Clay doing the shows with his hip pain:

  QUOTE(njrp4clay @ Mar 23 2008, 07:26 PM)]As I was going up the steps to the mezzanine I ran into Jerome. I said Hi to him and we had a several minute conversation. He told me Clay wanted to perform because he didn't want to disappoint anyone and that he decided to do yesterday's matinee because Hannah wasn't performing. He said he was definitely doing the matinee today but at that time didn't know if he would do the night show. He said Clay is in pain but he's taking his medicine. I didn't ask him for specifics about the injury. He said that the new Sir Galahad is pretty good and that there shouldn't be any problems. He said it was sad to see Chris go. I thanked him and told him to tell Clay to take it easy and that to thank him for doing the show. I also told him that I brought my son who hadn't seen Clay perform since 2004 in rain in Harrington. He was very nice.

• We'll close our fan recaps with this one from Claymelia2:

  I'm going to be brief, the night show was sold out and no Clay at the stagedoor. There were a few people who stayed after Jerome said that Clay was not coming out, waiting for the other casts specially Chris Siebert, his last day today. Jerome said Clay is still not feeling well.
  At the curtain call Chris gave a bow to the audience, but didn't say anything.
  As always, Clay was fabulous. He is getting better and better with the dances and the acting and I think there were lines added in the drunken guard scene which I don't remember, sorry. The conversation seems a little longer. and everybody was laughing. As Brother Maynard, he sang AMEN and so were the knights. This is first time I've heard it.

Tidbits 3/23

Happy Easter!

Send a Clay Aiken Spamalot Easter card at the Spamalot website.

• Autism: The Musical - I found this television special in my local TV listing. It will be on HBO on Tuesday, March 25, at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time (check your listings). It was shown apparently in 2007, but if you didn't see it, you might want to tune in. Here is what was written about the special:

  We dare you not to stand up and cheer this 2007 film, which, despite its title, isn't a musical but a documentary about a group of youngsters with autism who put on such a production. Since autism is characterized by problems with social interaction and communication, the teamwork required of a stage show is a real challenge, but the kids -- including one whose father baby boomers will recognize, rise beautifully to it.

• London Free Press - Hollywood turns to guest stars to appear on sitcoms -

  Paris Hilton (pre-incarceration) marked time on Veronica Mars, The O.C. and George Lopez; American Idol runnerup Clay Aiken appeared on Scrubs, and late last summer Britney's ex, Kevin Federline, made some chat room waves of his own after it was announced he landed a recurring role on One Tree Hill.

• Carolina On My Mind - Clay nation rejoices as CD cover is revealed
• Chexxxy's Pearls - the evolution of Clay's hair